GARY Chambers' replacement as Warrington Wolves head of youth has now been confirmed.

The appointment has come from within, with Ryan O'Brien taking over the role of heading up the club's academy.

O'Brien arrived at The Halliwell Jones Stadium last year to replace Tyrone McCarthy as head coach of the club's scholarship side, who won six and drew one of their eight matches under his charge this year.

He also took charge of the reserve side, who finished sixth in this year's second-string competition.

"I’m very proud that people at the club have put their trust in me to do such an important job," O'Brien said.

“The club has expressed its commitment to producing more homegrown players because we believe that is the way to sustain success.

“Right the way through the pathway, there’s exceptional talent coming through. There’s players on the cusp of first team who have already had some experience – the likes of Lucas Green, Leon Hayes and Adam Holroyd.

"We’ve got a really good crop in the academy, too, and some of those players have been recognised in the England, Lancashire and Yorkshire programmes lately.

"In our Scholarship programme, there’s an abundance of potential there as well.

“There’s no better feeling than going on that journey with a player and seeing them fulfil their dream of becoming a first team player.

"Hopefully we can produce more of them over the coming years.”

Chambers had returned to the club as head of youth last year but was thrust into the first-team picture when Daryl Powell was relieved of his duties as head coach in July.

He was placed in interim charge and will remain so until Sam Burgess takes over as head coach next year, at which point Chambers will move into a newly-created director of rugby role.

As he prepares to leave his old role behind, however, he insists there is no-one better placed to pick up the baton than O'Brien.

“Put simply, there is no other person in the game equipped with the skills Ryan possesses to take our club’s youth system forward," he said.

“We are very close to the time where our youth programme will form the backbone of the first team.

"I firmly believe that with Ryan’s guidance, we will be able to load the first team squad from below by producing players that are equipped with the values and commitment to ensure the long term success for our club.”